Fortune Across the World

Chapter 169: Facing Peril, Who Will Stand Together? (Part 4)

Finally, under the relentless strikes of the Thousand Feathers Fire Whip, the axle of the metal cylinders cracked, and with a series of sharp snaps, it broke completely. The third cylinder on the left collapsed, damaging the core axle and its linked components. The other axles jammed, causing a powerful tremor as all the cylinders fell into the pit, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The mechanism trap was disabled, but Le Zhuyi had no time to celebrate. As Ding Qiyu predicted, the predecessor who set the trap had also designed anti-tampering mechanisms. The stone walls revealed dark arrow slits, and countless arrows, mingling with the airborne dust, rained down like a storm.

The area of coverage was vast, and even those at the edges of the trap path were not spared. Le Zhuyi turned back, urging Chi Ni to a safer distance. Unable to take Ding Qiyu with her due to her injuries, she stood protectively in front of Ding Qiyu, once again forming a shield with her whip to intercept the arrows.

Ding Qiyu tried to move but found herself unable to rise. Instead, she coughed up more blood, her consciousness fading. Watching Le Zhuyi fight valiantly at the brink of life and death, she was pained by her own helplessness, unable to protect Zhuyi and burdening her instead.

The arrow barrage was too dense. Despite Le Zhuyi's exceptional whip skills, it was impossible to deflect every arrow. The rain of arrows lasted an indeterminate time before finally ceasing. Le Zhuyi, breathing heavily, glanced at the arrows embedded in her shoulder and waist. Ignoring her injuries, she turned to check on Ding Qiyu, relieved to find her unharmed.

Ding Qiyu's awareness was slipping, her vision blurry. Sensing Zhuyi was hurt, her heart ached, leaving her with no other sensation but pain. She struggled to speak, "Zhuyi... you're hurt..."

Le Zhuyi's lips curved into a defiant smile, dismissing her injuries, "Nothing compared to Moonwatcher night. I'm Le Zhuyi; pain doesn't scare me!" With those words, she gritted her teeth and decisively snapped the arrow shafts embedded in her body, hastily binding the bleeding wounds.

Ding Qiyu's heart ached even more. "I—" She tried to speak, but her voice faded as she lost consciousness, succumbing to blood loss that was beyond her control.

Alarmed, Le Zhuyi checked her breathing, finding Ding Qiyu fainted from blood loss. Looking ahead, the path was treacherous, and Chi Ni couldn't carry Ding Qiyu through it.

Frowning, Le Zhuyi carefully avoided Ding Qiyu's shoulder wound, hoisting the unconscious person onto her back. She removed the red ribbon from her arm, binding them together once more. With all her strength, she lifted the taller Ding Qiyu, the pain from her own injuries nearly blacking out her vision. Biting her lip to stifle a cry of pain, she hoped to stay close to Qiyu, come what may.

Taking a step forward, she felt a sense of calm from the rhythmic breathing of the person on her back. Calling Chi Ni to follow closely, she began her arduous journey.

The path was strewn with fallen axles and blades. Despite her injuries, Le Zhuyi pressed on, careful not to let Ding Qiyu suffer further harm. She stumbled and fell, her limbs cut by the jagged edges, yet she persevered, determined to protect the one she carried.

After a grueling journey through the first trap, another long path awaited. Fortunately, the next trap was also a "Bone-Crushing Dragon Spine." Without Ding Qiyu's guidance, Le Zhuyi relied on her own judgment.